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Yearly Archives: 2008

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In the past few weeks, I’ve been asked repeatedly for my thoughts on the profitability of the US swine industry in 2009. The reason for the question is the large amount of uncertainty in the outlook for the many variables that are part of the profitability equation.Read More...

I’ve been involved in many behind the scenes work on the issues of swine facilities in rural communities. As I’ve worked with various public policy groups and ag commodity groups, there are 2 statements that often arise as we discuss opportunities for youth to return to agriculture. The following is my reply to these common statements.Read More...

With carcass bids still languishing in the $53-54/cwt range in the US, I thought it would be fun to take a look at current market prices for slaughter pigs in Europe. The following data was compiled by Feedinfo News Service (www.feedinfo.com). I converted the price reported (Euros per kg carcass) to US values ($/cwt carcass) using yesterdays international conversion rate of 1 Euro = $1.268 USD.Read More...

As I write this week’s comments, I am still basking in the glow of a Thanksgiving Day spent with family. Yesterday morning I began the holiday by attending church services. When I was on the faculty at the University of Nebraska, I started many Thanksgiving holidays by doing daily chores at the research farm so that the employees at the swine unit could have the day with their families and friends.Read More...

I spent part of today working on a presentation I will be doing next month in Indianapolis. The topic is ‘The Next Generation of Production Systems’. As I worked on this topic, I thought about how the world of pork production has changed. Our parents witnessed a large change in pork production systems, and the associated rewards and risks that are associated with this enterprise. In the past 6 months, with the collapse of many in the financial markets, and the associated impacts on the world markets, the rate of change makes our parents look like someone walking behind a mule versus our plowing with 10 bottom plows.Read More...

This week I have had calls and conversations with producers from several locations in the Midwest regarding pits foaming thru the slats. While I’ve had an occasional call or conversation with a producer regarding the phenomenon in past years, the large number in one week is causing me to think about possible causes and solutions.Read More...

Last week Statistics Canada released its estimates of the October 1 Canadian pig inventory. At the same time, USDA and Statistics Canada released a joint report estimating the combined inventories using the September 1, 2008 USDA estimates for US inventories.Read More...

I have just returned from participation in the fall meeting of the Ontario Association of Swine Veterinarians. A great group of swine professionals who are very worried about the future of the swine industry in Ontario. Challenges in Ontario include access to markets with the largest slaughter plant in the province up for sale.Read More...

Here in southern Minnesota, the corn harvest is in full swing. This morning on the local radio station’s farm show, seed corn representatives were citing test plot yields of 220+ bu/acre. Given the many weather challenges of this growing year, these yields are remarkable.Read More...

With propane at $2/gallon, many producers have begun inserting ‘Tekfoil’ or similar materials between the bird netting and emergency drop curtains in cold weather. The question that needs to be asked – how tight can these emergency drop curtains be sealed and still maintain the emergency ventilation protection?Read More...

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